This multifaceted tour combines a trip to the Patchwork and Quilt Days show in Rijswijk with visits to Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring garden in the world, the charming city of Delft with its famous porcelain factory and the world famous Dutch Golden Age museum, Mauritshuis.

Quilt making has a long history in the Netherlands. The oldest reference to a Dutch quilt dates back to the 13th century, but the tradition really began to flourish in the 1600s when the Dutch East India Company started trading chintz from India in exchange for spices from the Far East. In the 18th Century, quilting became a popular pastime for many Dutch women and their creations played an important part in the development of quilting across the world.

The Patchwork and Quilting Days event in Rijswijk is an annual celebration of contemporary quilting and patchwork. Featuring displays of beautiful quilts illustrating the huge variety of styles and techniques being used today, as well as showcases of fabrics, patterns, materials and tools, this is a must-visit show for quilters and textile crafters of all kinds. Our programme gives you plenty of time to explore the inspirational stands and stock up on supplies to take home and use in your next project.

We have also arranged for a local quilting expert, Herma de Ruiter from WonderFil Threads, to come to the hotel for an after dinner talk on speciality threads.

There's more to choosing yarn for your quilting project than just the colour; how thick will it be? What material it is made from? Will you choose cotton, rayon, metallic, or polyester? Do you opt for shiny yarn or matt? To help answer all these questions and more, we have invited Herma de Ruiter, an enthusiastic quilter and yarn expert from Wonderfil Threads, to come to the hotel to talk to you about the wonderful world of thread! She will discuss the many varieties of yarn available, explain how each can be used and talk about the affect different yarns have on your finished projects.

Keukenhof’s annual festival of spring flowering bulbs is one of the world’s most spectacular floral events and this tour offers a once-a-year opportunity to witness the garden’s seven million bulbs in flower.

Each year the world’s leading floriculturists meticulously choreograph the planting of new bulbs to create breathtaking displays of floral artistry and the air is full of the heady scent of tulips, anemones, daffodils, freesias and hyacinths.

There are more flights of floral fancy in the sculpture garden, while the exhibition pavilions showcase particular species. Tulip lovers should head for the William Alexander Pavilion, for example, while orchid aficionados are in for a treat at the Beatrix Pavilion. And if the site of all these flowers makes you want to try your own hand at floral design, you can pick up tips at the daily demonstrations in the Orange Nassau Pavilion.

The canal-ringed city of Delft has a rich history; synonymous with the Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer and the iconic blue and white pottery that bares the city’s name, it is also the burial place of William of Orange. Our tour gives you ample free time to explore the medieval streets and cultural highlights.

History and Culture

Vemeer Centre – see the studio where Vermeer painted The Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, along with high quality, full size images of the artist’s entire oeuvre.

Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk – the magnificent old and new churches dominate the inner city. Visit Vermeer's grave at Oude Kerk, with its leaning tower and famous stained glass windows, and see where William of Orange was laid to rest at Nieuwe Kerk.

Museum Prinsenhof – immerse yourself in the history of Delft at this museum set in the former court of William of Orange.

Shopping and eating

The old city has plenty to tempt shoppers. The streets surrounding the Market Square - Oude Delft, Choorstraat, Voldersgracht, Wijnhaven, Hippolytusbuurt and Vrouw Juttenland - are filled with art galleries and one-off fashion and vintage boutiques.

Food-wise, there is something for every taste and budget. Two highlights are Visbanken, which was involved in the fish trade in the Middle Ages and is still the best place to go for a traditional Dutch herring or mackerel sandwich, and Het Gulden ABC, best known for serving ‘poffertjes’ (Dutch pancakes) to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

No trip to Delft would be complete without a visit to Royal Delftware. Established in 1653, it is now the city’s last remaining 17th century earthenware factory and its iconic Blue Delftware is still painted entirely by hand following centuries-old tradition.

Our programme includes a one hour tour that takes you on a fascinating journey through the brand’s 400 year history. Discover Royal Delftware’s links with Vermeer and the Dutch Royal Family in intriguing themed rooms which include a recreation of Vermeer’s dining room furnished with original Delftware from the period.

Located in the heart of The Hague, the 17th century Mauritshuis Museum is home to the best Dutch paintings from the Golden Age. Amongst the 841 artworks on display are masterpieces such as Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt and The Goldfinch by Fabritius. A special exhibition, Rembrandt and the Mauritshuis, showing all 18 paintings attributed to the artist in the museum's collection, will running during our visit.

We have arranged a private guided tour of the museum extraordinary collection to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.

This cosy hotel in the heart of the city is full of character, art and antiques and boasts a bar overlooking the oldest canal in Delft. The 66 comfortable and peaceful guest rooms make the perfect base for sightseeing.

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